6. Pools. The rainfall of Palestine is hardly adequate to provide a sufficient water supply (see II, 110; see on Gen. 12:10). Irrigation is necessary today, even as it was in ancient times when farmers excavated tanks and reservoirs. The “king’s pool” of Neh. 2:14 is called “Solomon’s pool” by Josephus ( v. 4. 2). The so-called Solomon’s pools probably date from the time of the Romans; the largest was approximately 600 (182.9 ) long, 207 (63.1 ) wide, and 50 (15.2 ) deep. These pools are about 3 (4.8 ) southeast of Bethlehem. Solomon may also have built fish hatcheries and raised various kinds of fish (Cant. 7:4).